WetBulb
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"Be smart"... Well, that's why society needs rules. Unfortunately, some people aren't smart enough to do what's right
Also, games getting cancelled isn't just about players. On Saturday, I saw players, fans, and an official go down in the heat.
The wet bulb is far more accurate than just heat index. It looks at temp (in the sun, not the shade like heat index), humidity, and credits you for wind speed. It's a more accurate depiction of what your field feels like as well. Get out on the turf and it's going to melt your cleats but the heat index is in a "safe range." As Llama said, coaches haven't shown themselves to be trusted at a 100% rate to keep every kid safe so these rules have to be implemented. We should agree, one heat-related death at a sporting event is too many/
The wet bulb is great, assuming everyone actually uses it. As of now, it is a recommendation. The NSAA bought every school a wet bulb but didn't mandate the school follow the guidelines.
I think these things are a great tool to use. I would hate to have to live with a kid dying while I was coaching. Many times with heat illness, by the time it shows up, you are already at a critical stage. Your bigger kids will handle the heat way different than the littler guys. I think the NSAA is doing a good job trying to protect kids with these guidelines. Everyone has a war story about that one game they played in back in the day where it was so hot. That's cool, but its all about safety and it should be. If a coach doesn't have the wet bulb up and working at practice everyday its remotely hot out I'd question their judgement.
It is a must today and mainly due to kids just do not get out in the heat like they use to, so for many this is first high exposure with activity in the heat, YES it is true when I was young no one ask me if i was to hot putting up hay from dawn till dusk in 100 degree heat but we did it everyday and were use to it. These kids are not, they live and sleep in a AC home with all vechiles having AC, they are not use to the heat at all. Call what you want its a fact
If I'm a school administrator I'd make damn sure that thing was up and working. If something happens to a kid and you've got the Wet Bulb sitting in a box in the coaches office I'd assume a nice big lawsuit will be coming your way.
That was going to be my comment.
Yes, it's an NSAA "recommendation". But if the powers that be (NSAA, NFHS) and the experts in the field (NWS) are recommending it...and the NSAA paid for you to have it (removing the barrier of cost). What's your excuse for why you were not following the recommended practice when something goes wrong?
It may only be a "recommendation", but I feel like recommending it + providing it has just made it the new standard of care, even if they're not using the word "required".
I understand your concern, but this type of heat is unprecedented. I've heard a few people say stuff like, "back when I played, we had to tough it out through this type of heat."
That is not accurate at all. Falls City recorded a 124 degree heat index on Monday. That's the highest heat index in their record keeping history, on any date. This combination of heat and humidity is not even normal for late July, anywhere in Nebraska. This is like Southeast Texas or Louisiana weather from mid July to mid August.
This is a very unusual event. Heck, I have very vivid memories of going to morning two-a-days back in the 90s while wearing a light jacket. My pansy azz was chilly because it was like 58 degrees.
We've been using it everyday. It is super easy to set up and use. Links to an app on a mobile device. Fortunately we are located in the panhandle and do not have the humidity that the eastern schools have to contend with. We have gotten into the orange level a couple of times on days when it was close to 100 degrees. The way we structure our practice plans, the changes we have to make with the heat are minimal.
I think the practice/playing surface plays a big role in this as well. The heat over a natural surface will be significantly lower on a very hot day than over a synthetic/turf surface.
I think the practice/playing surface plays a big role in this as well. The heat over a natural surface will be significantly lower on a very hot day than over a synthetic/turf surface.
You would be shocked how many schools don't use it. The lawsuit will be the least of their worries. The funeral they will have to help plan is the far bigger concern
We thought this would be the case as well. We practice on turf but were debating moving over to the grass so that we could practice at normal time after school. The wet bulb reading was actually higher on the grass than the turf. Not sure why or how, but we had to go later in the evening because of the readings.
In my opinion a school would be really stupid to not use the wet bulb.
The World Herald article had a quote from Ron Higdon (I think) where he talked about the humidity/moisture coming from the real grass, and how that could be a factor.
Humidity from the grass makes sense. I've been on turf when it is hot out and the surface temp can get up there. Makes your feet feel like they are on fire.
I hope all teams can find safe times to practice without having to sacrifice practice time!
I hope all teams can find safe times to practice without having to sacrifice practice time!
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